Louisville Will Challenge Census

by Gabe Bullard on November 11, 2008

Louisville Metro Government is challenging the U.S Census Bureau’s 2007 population update.

The update gives Louisville a population of just over 709,264. A study from the Washington D.C. based group Social Compact says at least 45,000 citizens weren’t counted in that update, and city officials agree.

Mayor’s spokesperson Chad Carlton says Louisville’s budget and national relevance depend on an accurate estimate in the current update.

“That makes it much, much more likely to get a more accurate count in the 2010 census, which is used for everything from deciding how some federal dollars are doled out to determining the number of congressional seats a state has,” he says.

Louisville is currently facing a budget shortfall, but Carlton says that’s not the main reason for the challenge.

“If Louisville doesn’t do it and Cincinnati does and Chattanooga does and Nashville does and St. Louis does, those people come at Louisville’s expense,” says Carlton.

Cincinnati is also challenging its census this year. Chattanooga’s population was adjusted upward after the city questioned its estimate last year.